My Word for the Year 2021
What is up 2021?
Are you going to show 2021 who is boss, in a joyful and positive way? I hope the answer is yes. Looking back at 2020, it was a painful year. But it also brought myself and my family a lot of goodness. We moved across the country from San Diego to coastal North Carolina. We purchased our first home. We bought two vehicles without debt, with CASH. We renovated two bathrooms in our house plus countless other small house projects. We even got pregnant with our third son. Ryan and I did catch COVID-19 but you can catch up on that one later.
The year was also very emotionally painful for me. I had to endure tough conversations about race with friends and family. I had to reevaluate continuing certain friendships, which is very difficult for my Enneagram 2 self. I felt very isolated living in a new place with few friends. But because I’m an generally optimistic person, I tried to channel my hurt and loneliness to find new opportunities for myself. I started getting paid to write again for a few publications. I partnered with companies, sharing how their products and services help my family through my social media platforms.
My goals for 2020 were simple: be INTENTIONAL. I wanted to root my decisions and time around that word. I wasn’t perfect but I made strides. Looking back, I can confidently say I did that for the most part. Looking at the five hopes I wrote on January 1, 2020:
Save for a downpayment on a home —we bought our first home in April 2020
Find a great crew of mom friends—I see you Emily, Katherine and Erin
Raise happy and healthy kids —this is ongoing but so far they seem happy and healthy
Give Ryan more grace & unconditional love —also ongoing but we did make a third baby this year
Stay open to new opportunities —this year I wrote an article for The Huffington Post
As I look at 2021, I honestly feel hopeful. It doesn’t feel like blind optimism when I reflect on my former list. I will say that I didn’t meet one of my goals for 2020, which was to read 10 books. I only read five in the year.
This year, my word is FLOW. I want to be better at “going with the flow,” & allowing blessings and truth to “flow” in/out of me. I want to trust that God will be with me through the unknowns coming my way (hello baby number three).
In addition to this year’s word, I also have a few goals to share:
Personal
Read 15 books
Make more friends in similar and different life phase as me
Financial
Purchase used van with cash
Save to update wood floors in house
Family
Enroll boys in swim lessons
Find a local church
Become a family of FIVE!
Places To Visit
Getaway for our 8 year anniversary
Family Glam-ping trip
What is your word for 2021?
Try finding your word for the year using Morgan Harper Nichols’ reel AND get started goal setting using my 2021 template!
Photos by Denzel Photography